In a nutshell, feng shui is the ancient Chinese art of placing or arranging elements in such a way as to harness the benefits of the chi, or life force, which is believed to permeate all things. Also referred to as the "breath of life" and "cosmic breath", the chi is said to be influenced by two primordial forces that govern the universe – the yin and the yang. The yin is the female, passive and dark aspect while the yang is the male, active and light aspect. These two continually interact and affect the flow of the chi, which in turn affects our lives as we are also made up of energy.
In garden feng shui, geomancers consider three important tenets: the flow of energy, the balance of the yin and yang, and the interactions of the five elements. It is said that good feng shui constitutes a harmonious – and balanced – flow of energy in the garden. Thus, no blocking of passages or unmoving elements. For instance, a tree planted directly in front of your main door is believed to block the arriving chi. A dead tree, which symbolizes stagnant energy, should be promptly removed as this, according to the book Feng Shui Garden Design: Creating Serenity by Antonia Beattie, "creates a stab of negative energy called poison arrow (or sha qi) that can hit the house or another part of the garden causing energy flow problems." Similarly, telephone poles, flagpoles or house corners have the same effect. Also, chi flowing in straight lines is bad news as in roads leading directly to one’s house, as this is said to speed up the energy and stress out those living in the house. Other forms of blocked energy, adds Beattie, include clutter in the garden as well as overgrowth and dry patches. If you have a pond, try to keep the water clean and in constant, gentle motion (too strong a force will create havoc in the flow of chi) as stagnant water again blocks the positive flow of energy. Besides, stagnant waters are recipes for disaster. You don’t want to be the next victim of malaria now, do you?
While we’re on the subject of water, we might as well discuss the importance of properly placing the swimming pool. In Taoist Grand Minister Rev. Fr. Wongsengtian’s book, Authentic Feng Shui, the swimming pool should always be filled with water and kept clean and should not be placed near a drainage as this attracts bad chi. Try to avoid having a pool with many corners as well.
The balance of the yin and yang, meanwhile, is best observed if you don’t want to have a rollercoaster-like wave of emotions or energy. Says Beattie, yin is associated with the subdued female energy and cool colors of blues and greens, while yang is more active and is present in the burst of bright colors like reds, oranges and yellows. A garden planted to birds of paradise, sunflowers, yellowbells, santan, gumamela and flame trees will seem very active while a garden with mainly green shrubs, violets, sampaguita or camellia will tend to give you a passive, bordering on the contemplative, feeling. An area that has too much yang energy will do well with a small waterfall or fountain (water is one feng shui cure to balance energy) as this dissipates excessive and disruptive energy. Also, if you have dead or sluggish energy spots in the garden, wind chimes and bells are ideal cures as their sound clears away "dead air" and stimulates the flow of positive energy.
The importance of having elements that complement, rather than oppose, each other is also a must for good feng shui. According to Rev. Fr. Wongsengtian, of the Sheng Lian Shian Cho Temple along Bayani St., Araneta Ave., Quezon City, the Five Elements of nature – wood, earth, fire, water and metal – are the "powers or essences describing all matters and their attributes and arise out of the interplay of the yin and yang." These elements could either create or destroy one another in a fixed succession, he adds. Thus, a productive cycle would have fire producing earth (ash), earth producing metal, metal creating water (i.e. smelting, liquification and evaporation), water feeding wood ("Plants and trees need water to grow," says Wongsengtian), and wood aiding fire (by burning). In contrast, the destructive cycle has wood harming earth (wood being dug into the earth), earth obstructing water (by absorbing water), water destroying fire (water douses fire), fire melting metal, and metal chopping down wood. This is why, according to Beattie, a barbecue grill and a pond cannot be placed side by side for instance. A more harmonious combination would be "red roses planted next to a wooden fence (wood and fire), a paved barbecue area (fire and earth), a metal birdbath filled with water (metal and water), among others.
The so-called eight aspirations in feng shui (the eight most important aspects of an individual’s life affected by the flow of energy), Beattie suggests getting a compass to determine the eight directions in your garden. These directions correspond to a certain aspiration. The north is for career, as well as personal growth. It’s said to be a good place for a workshed and pond. The south is for dreams and aspirations, which translates to fame and promotion; a good place to grow trees and flowers. The east is for family and wealth, for growth and harmony, and can be planted with herbs and medicinal plants. The west is for children and family; the outdoor dining area is perfect for this direction. The northwest is for help and support of mentors, good friends, as well as travel. This is a good place to hang wind chimes and statues of deities. The northeast is for knowledge and study, for meditation and spirituality. A simple bench placed in this area will allow you quiet moments of reflection. The southwest is for romance and relationships and what could be more conducive for such a place than a cozy loveseat or a swing perhaps. Finally, the southeast is for wealth and abundance. Plants that symbolize prosperity such as money trees are a good idea.
Don’t think that palatial gardens are the only ones that could benefit from feng shui. On the contrary, say feng shui experts, even the smallest of gardens can also benefit. Don’t let space limitations stop you from having a lucky garden. Just remember the importance of balance because in its most basic form, feng shui is all about balance. For instance, avoid putting big objects and furniture which will tend to cramp a small area. Try to avoid irregular shaped gardens – star-shaped especially is a bit over, don’t you think? – and just stick to clean, maybe rounded lines. The lights in the garden shouldn’t be too bright nor too dark.
It’s really all about balance with a big dose of common sense thrown in. Feng shui practitioners tell you to avoid planting trees that grow close to the house for, indeed, the roots would damage the floor or pavement and, on a metaphysical level, "create cracks on the person’s life," as Beattie puts it. Or you should avoid placing a chair or a swing with its back facing a door leading outside as this would make one feel uncomfortable and vulnerable (you’re a sitting duck if an intruder happens to enter, for instance). As for garden paths, Beattie says gravel paths are the most practical. Apart from being a flexible feature as you can easily rearrange or change the appearance of your garden, it also acts as some kind of alarm from bad elements – and we’re referring to the breathing, walking kind. As gravel paths create so much noise, you would be alerted to anyone approaching the house.
A garden is more than just a picturesque scenery. It’s alive and is bursting with nature’s life force. Applying the principles of feng shui is acknowledging that a garden is, indeed, an extension of our own lives and, like all living beings, needs our care and attention.